2 Timothy 1:12-which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

If we think about why we go through the things we go through, there usually is an “end goal” for why we do it.  If there is no end goal, than our quest, hard work, and suffering have no purpose.  Once we realize that, enduring the slightest hardship in that quest becomes unbearable…

This is why the apostle Paul in this passage, speaks about Jesus and the quest of being “a light” for the gospel as his sole purpose (vs. 10,11).  So Paul is not serving Jesus in order to gain respect, prestige, or more blessings!  Because the moment we realize that God is not upholding our “quest” for those things, we then think He is no longer worth suffering for…

Yet the only thing that Paul expects from Jesus is the ability to keep him faithful to the relationship, and call of living and promoting the gospel.  Paul is not expecting respect, a blissful marriage, an intact family, or a promotion, but to be kept faithful with what God has entrusted him with, the gift and faith to promote the gospel.

This mentality is so helpful to enduring hardship faithfully for Christ sake.  Because it so easy to have expectations from God that He never promised us.  So when He doesn’t grant us what we expect, we lose heart to endure suffering faithfully.  But it reveals that we were really serving Him for what we wanted, not for Who He is and what He has called us to do…

In His Love, Ld